SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -
With anticipation for hoops season already high, UCSB Athletics is proud to
announce season tickets will go on sale Monday, Sept. 14 at 9:00 a.m. for
2009 men's and women's basketball. Highlights include new seating zones,
lower prices and special family and group packages to help during tough
economic times, added donor amenities and flexible buying options.

The men's home schedule features San Diego State, Santa Clara and all the
Big West rivals, while the women's team will host top programs Fresno State,
Kentucky, UCLA and Pepperdine.

"We are excited about the new options to enjoy Gaucho basketball," said Tom
Hastings, Executive Associate Athletics Director. "Our main goals were to
award those donors who help us stay fiscally competitive and directly
support our amazing student-athletes, along with filling the T-dome more.

"Lowering the season ticket price for women's basketball allows us to grow
attendance and continue to make the Thunderdome a tough place to play. At
the same time we will also offer priority seating, free parking and
hospitality to those who help fund our rising student-athlete scholarship
and support bills."

Season tickets are only $125 for men's basketball and $100 for women's
basketball (35% lower than last year). Similar to the successful men's
soccer family plan, a new Family Plan season ticket is now available for
both men's and women's basketball. Family plans, which include five season
tickets (two adults and three youth season tickets), are $300 for men's
basketball, $225 for women's basketball or get the combo plan (both men's
and women's) for just $400. That's just $2.66 per game!

UCSB faculty/staff will also receive 50% off pricing on all season tickets.

Something for You in Gold, White And Blue!
Seating sections at the Thunderdome are now marked as Gold ( Gaucho Fund or
G-Fund for short, donation area), Blue (reserved season tickets and
students) and White (families and groups). This option is only available to
donors who contribute to the Gaucho Fund.

New seating charts for the Thunderdome outline the Gold, White and Blue
zones. To view the new charts, click here.

G-Fund donors
can also enjoy the Gold (Founders Room) hospitality room in the Thunderdome
before the game and at halftime. After the game, the room will continue to
serve for post-game Fastbreakers chalk talk (women's basketball) and Hoop
Club gatherings (men's basketball).

Donors who buy tickets in the Gold Zone will also receive complimentary
season parking. Fans who purchase Blue Zone or Family Plan (White Zone) can
purchase season parking through the UCSB Athletics Ticket Office.

Priority Renewal is November 1
Fans can renew their season tickets, upgrade or buy additional seats online
at UCSBgauchos.com or by calling (805) 893-UCSB. The deadline to renew
current season tickets is Nov. 1. New season tickets can be purchased now
with available open seats assigned. After Nov. 1, seats will be assigned
based on best available and/or per season ticket holders requested seats.
Upgrades and new seats in the Gold Zone, including extra parking requests,
will occur on a priority (points) basis.

One Donation Is Gold
New this year, donations to the Gaucho Fund - regardless of the sport it
supports - are part of the "One Donation is Gold" system. This allows donors
to purchase priority/premium seating and parking at UCSB games across
several sports in addition to other benefits.

Examples:Last year, Olé gave $500 to the Fastbreakers to support women's
basketball and bought two season tickets in the old "Priority 1" area for an
additional $85 per seat "tax" ($170 total) and paid $153 for the season
tickets. Olé also bought a $40 season parking pass. Olé's total was $1,016.

This year, Olé would donate $300 per seat for his two seats ($600 total) to
the Gaucho Fund (which can be earmarked to directly support women's
basketball) and receive free parking. Olé would then buy season tickets at
$100 per for his two seats ($200 total). Olé would now pay only $800. If Olé
joined the Fastbreakers this year - which is encouraged - for the new $50
membership, he would be at $850.

Olé would also now have the opportunity, through the "one donation is Gold"
system of the Gaucho Fund, to buy Gold Zone seats at other UCSB games (i.e.
men's basketball) through the priority system.

To offer flexibility, pledges can be made towards donor seating areas. Fans
are encouraged to pay at least half of the required per seat donation prior
to receiving season tickets and parking.

Donations to the Gaucho Fund can be earmarked to directly support the
scholarship and operational costs of men's or women's basketball (or both).

Olé Bobblehead
To reward the great Gaucho basketball season ticket holders, a free
bobblehead of UCSB's mascot - the edgy but always classy Olé - will be given
for every two season tickets purchased by Dec. 1. Additional Olé bobbleheads
can be purchased at the UCSBgauchos Shop located in the Thunderdome lobby on
game days or through this special promotional offer, starting in November,
online at UCSBgauchos.com, while supplies last.

Legends of the `Dome
With such a rich history on the hardwood, UCSB Athletics will honor the
inaugural class of five legendary Gauchos during the season. Large banners
will be unveiled of each legend inside the Thunderdome on the following
dates: Saturday, January 23 vs. Cal State Fullerton (first men's basketball
legend), Thursday, February 11 vs. UC Riverside (first women's basketball
legend), Saturday, February 13 vs. Long Beach State (second men's basketball
legend) and Saturday, February 27 vs. Cal Poly (second women's basketball
legend). A legend from the women's volleyball program will also be raised
Friday, October 16 vs. Pacific. In subsequent years, fans will be able to
decide the "legend" to be honored in the Thunderdome.

In addition to the new wall of legends, the Thunderdome will feature new
banners hanging above a re-painted court.

Groups Wanted
For every game, UCSB Athletics will reserve 750 tickets to give away free to
any youth or non-profit group as part of the "Gauchos Give" community
outreach program. Any youth or non-profit group can enjoy a Gauchos game
with up to 50 free tickets to a selected game by emailing your request here or by calling 893-UCSB.

Groups of 10 or more can also receive a discount on tickets to most games
with the Gauchos "Group Strength" offer. Groups will receive a deal of $3
per ticket, plus two parking passes for every 10 tickets, a welcome by the
PA announcer and a group picture with Olé.

New Saturday Hours!
Purchasing season tickets and making donations have never been easier by
calling (805) 893-UCSB, by visiting the UCSB Athletics Ticket Office inside
the Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) building or online at UCSBgauchos.com.
The Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and
now on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Two free parking spaces next to
ICA (Ocean Drive) and Rob Gym are available.